Amsterdam Shopping Tips by johngayton

Albert Heijn "To Go": Where To Get Your Nibbles

Albert Heijn is a major supermarket chain with branches all over The Netherlands. In addittion to the larger stores there's also several smaller "convenience" shops branded as AH To Go.

These latter are ideal for picking up nibbly stuff for picnics, an alfreco lunch in the park or just to take back to your hotel for an inexpensive "rainy day" supper.

What to buy: The "To Go" shops have a range of ready-made things like salads, sandwiches, micro-wavable meals etc plus all the makings for the do-it-yourselfers such as freshly baked breads, cheese and delicatessen meats, fresh fruit and vegetables.

As well as the edibles they also stock a full range of drinkables of both the alcoholic and non varieties.

What to pay: Maybe not as cheap as buying from the markets etc but as a one-stop shop aren't hugely expensive.

Address: Several around the city.

Directions: This one pictured is on Damrak (between Centraal Station and Dam).

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.ah.nl

John N. Andringa: My 2nd Favourite Shop in Amsterdam! Cigars Review

Having visited Hartman's and bought out their stock of Gauloises I then hang a left and head for here. This is another little gem of a shop and having been a tobacconists for over 100 years (founded 1902) the aromatics are ingrained into its very fabric. Service is always cheery and welcoming and more often than not I get a freebie lighter or two.

What to buy: Gauloises Tabac a Rouler

What to pay: Now 5.50 Euros for 48.5g - going up in price!

Address: Reguliersbreestraat 2

Directions: On the corner of Reguliersbreestraat and Muntplein, opposite the Muntorren.

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.johnnandringa.nl

Hartman Cigars & More: My Favourite Shop In Amsterdam! Cigars Review

Ever since the French government decided to up the tax on tobacco products I have given up on going to Calais for my, roughly quarterly, visits to pick up my tobacco, opting instead for Amsterdam - well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!

If I'm only there for a 24 hour trip then I usually have to scour several shops to pick up my 3 Kg (ish) quota but Hartman's usually manages to provide the bulk, keeping a reasonable stock of most common tobacco's ( and some less common ones ).

This little dark wood-panelled haven is everything that a tobacconist should be, the aroma of the cigars and loose tobacco permeating its very fabric. The glass-fronted shelves and wooden drawers contain everything possible us nicotine addicts could ever desire, add to this a cheerful guy serving it's always a pleasure to part with my couple of hundred Euros in the 2 minutes it takes the transaction, smiles all round!

What to buy: Gauloises Tabac a Rouler

What to pay: At 5 Euros for 50g - do I care about the French economy?

Address: 48 Liedsestraat, Cetrum.

Directions: Between Keizergracht and Prinzengracht heading towards Liedseplien.

Phone: 020 6245150

Theme: Other